Himachal Assembly session: BJP alleges Rs 100 cr liquor policy ‘scam’, stages walkout
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The Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha witnessed a heated exchange on Thursday (August 29, 2024) as the opposition raised allegations of a major scam in the state’s excise policy.
BJP MLAs Randhir Sharma and Surender Shourie led the charge, questioning the government on its handling of the excise policy and accusing it of corruption. Dissatisfied with the responses from the ruling party, the opposition demanded a judicial inquiry and subsequently staged a walkout.
Bids above reserve price: BJP MLA
Randhir Sharma claimed that under the new excise policy for 2023-24, auctioned were done above the reserve price, but for 2024-25, bids were placed below the reserve price in five districts. He alleged that this discrepancy resulted in a revenue loss of approximately Rs 100 crore compared to the previous year, calling it a “huge scam” conducted under government protection.
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Allegation of arbitrary pricing
Sharma also suggested that the number of liquor units in districts had been increased to benefit certain contractors, further intensifying his call for a judicial inquiry.
Supporting these claims, BJP MLA Shourie criticised the government’s decision to allow the sale of liquor under minimum support price instead of the maximum retail price. He argued that this change has led to arbitrary pricing, with liquor being sold at inflated rates, particularly in Kullu-Manali, where prices have reportedly surged by over Rs 300. Shourie accused the government of giving contractors free rein to exploit consumers.
The session saw prolonged sloganeering from both sides before the opposition eventually walked out, leaving the ruling party to continue the proceedings amid ongoing controversy.
